Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ok, I admit, I've taken to spoiling my dog. Quite a bit.  One look at her face and all my troubles melt away.  So when I came across a homemade dog biscuit recipe in Yvette van Boven's book Home Made, I knew I would be baking them.

The ingredients are so pure humans could eat these biscuits.  Why not feed your dog the same wholesome food you would feed yourself?

I used a cookie cutter I bought for a craft project that made the perfect size of treat.  I ended up with a full jar (she had a few before I took photos of them).  Needless to say, she loves them, and I feel good giving them to her knowing they are not filled with preservatives. 

DOGGY BISCUITS*

2/3 cup of salt-free homemade beef broth or hot water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 egg
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Combine all ingredients into a firm dough in a bowl.  Roll into a thin sheet approximately 1/8 inch thick on a flour dusted counter top.  Cut the dough into strips or cut out shapes using a cookie cutter.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake the doggy biscuits for approx. 30 minutes until golden brown.  Keep in a sealable jar. 

*recipe copied directly from Home Made

DIY Humidifier

My world is quiet.  Life is happening behind the scenes, but I've been in my head more than in this space.  I have been spending quite a bit of time outdoors with Annie.  

The weather has been all over the board.  Typical this time of year.  The temp rises during the day, enough for some to pull out their shorts, and then it plummets over night. 

Coming in and out of the dry air has been doing a number on my skin, in addition to the heat coming from the furnace.  To put a little moisture back into the air I put a few orange peels, a cinnamon stick and water on the stove top to simmer.  As it evaporates I simply add more water.  Whenever I'm home I put it on to simmer.  Before long my house is filled with the warm smell of a home in winter, and my skin gets a little respite. 

I've also been using a winter body scrub I made to slough off the dry skin.  You can find the recipe here. 

How do you take care of your skin in the winter?

DIY 2013 Planner

I love the smell of new year.  Well, really I mean the smell of a new planner full of blank pages waiting to be filled with plans that include road trips, date nights, and all the events that chronicle a life.  I think I will always carry a planner despite the advance of technology.  For me it's half diary, half calendar.  It is a record keeper and dreamer.  

I have been dabbling in book binding so I decided to make my own planner this year.  The inserts I purchased from droplet over at Etsy.  She sends you a file with three different ways to use the inserts.  They are perpetual so you can use them year after year.  I used her third option which is for binding. 

The cover is somewhat of a blank slate on purpose.  I end up carrying this with me everywhere and by the end of the year it will be filled with doodles, notes, stamps, stickers, and love letters.  I left for room for what is to come.

I used a coptic stitch to bring it all together.  It's easy for a beginner but my work is still a little sloppy.  I used this video for instruction. 

How do you keep track of your year?

Reverb 2012

I am participating in reverb 2012 hosted by Hope over at Besottment by Paper Relics.  It's not too late to catch up.  Hope creates beautiful journals to document her reverberations, and her questions are thought provoking.

Are you participating in a reverb of any kind this month?  Let me know.

DIY Gift Organizer Notebook

I am not a techy.  I prefer pen and paper to apps.  So it should come as no surprise that I decided to throw together a notebook for all my gift plans for Christmas.  Instead of writing down ideas or gifts I've already purchased in multiple places, now I can house them all in this notebook.  No apps that crash.

I used an old Christmas card for the cover.  On the inside I used ledger paper I found at an estate sale to tally up my spending. 

I also created two pockets in the center to hold coupons and receipts.  Then I bound it all together using this method.  This notebook can easily be thrown in my bag or tucked into my daily planner, but most importantly all the information is in one place.  It's a little rough around the edges, but it gets the job done.

How you do organize your gift giving?

Gratitude Tree

I was so inspired by Michelle's gratitude project last week that I decided to do something in my own neighborhood.  We live on a very busy block and we have a lot of foot and car traffic that comes by our home.

I decided to transform an oak tree out front into a gratitude tree.  I made tags out of waterproof paper, cut string, and put all of it with instructions and markers into a tool box under the tree.  I'm asking everyone that feels blessed to leave a note of gratitude as they pass by. 

We already have several tags!  I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving week.  What are you thankful for?

Decorating with Nature

Have I mentioned yet that fall is my favorite season?  I love bringing nature into the house this time of year.  The rich, deep colors are soothing on the heart.  We have a small, but beautiful oak tree out front and the leaves are on fire.  I cut a few branches for the mantle to savor the color a little longer. 

These pumpkins were a gift from a friend.  An artist in Kansas City stuffed velvet and sewed an actual pumpkin stem to the top of them.  They are the perfect gift.

How do you decorate for fall?  Do you bring nature in?

How To Paint if You Are Not An Artist

I'm not an artist.  At least, I've never claimed that label.  I'm creative, but I can't draw.  I can slap paint on a canvas but it's not a da Vinci.  I'm slowly learning that art can be created whether you have the talent to draw a perfect figure or not.  It's called mixed media collage!

Take this quote, for example.  Mary Oliver hit it on the head when she wrote these very basic life instructions.  I need to see these words everyday and a post-it note is not going to cut it. 

I need something bigger.  I need a paint project.  In comes the $5 canvas. 

I picked up this canvas at an estate sale about six years ago with the intention of painting over it.  I have no idea who Carlson is, the colors are ugly, and I'm really hoping this isn't a piece of art worth thousands like the woman that bought an original Picasso painting at a garage sale for $2.  However, it is the perfect size for my project.

I started with the frame. Then, I applied a base coat of light gray to cover the yellow, green, and white.  Next, I applied 3" vinyl letters (thanks to this idea) to spell out the poem.  Then I went to town and added pieces of old paper, maps, washi tape, and other odd bits in different shapes.

Then I added more paint.  I chose the color palette because this piece will be hanging in our bedroom and we have several blue maps on the wall as well so I wanted it to balance. I mixed, blended, wiped paint off with a rag, used water, stamps, and stencils.  Before it was dry I pulled off the letters, exposing the paint underneath.  As suspected, there was a little paint that bled under the vinyl in the process so the letters are not as precise as I would have liked them.

All in all, it's not bad for someone that isn't an artist.  I can't decide if it's finished or not.  I can always go back and paint over the letters with a brush to clean them up, but there is something about the mess that I like.  As I was hanging it, I noticed the words "tell about it" popped off the canvas.  Though not intentional, the message is clear.  It's as if that is the instruction I need most to hear. 

Anyway, it's above the dresser now and these words are what I read when I first open my eyes in the morning. 

What do you think?  Is it finished or I could I add something?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Melted Crayons



I spent a weekend home alone recently and most of that time was in my studio dreaming up all manner of things.  One of the projects for the {eye} wonder workshop was to play with crayons.  I took a non traditional route and melted a few of them. 

The result was amazing.  I absolutely love the drips.  This isn't quite finished.  I am not sure what process will happen next, but that's the beauty of art, right?

What else would you add to this canvas?

DIY Gratitude Journal

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

One goal on my 12 in 12 list is to keep a gratitude journal and write five lines of thanksgiving a day. I'm really working on changing my focus of my mind.  Since sticking to this goal has been spotty at best, I decided to devote September to gratitude.  I made a special little journal to motivate me to write my lines every day.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS

Cardstock - 5 3/4" x 12"

Paper - 5 1/2" x 9 1/2" folded in half

• Line up the paper and cardstock, all flushed to the left and hold with binder clips (you should have 2 1/2" of cardstock on the right that does not have paper covering it.  This is for your flap
• Punch three holes that are evenly spaced in the center of paper.
• Using waxed linen thread or embroidery floss, sew through the holes in the following pattern.  
• Start in the middle hole, inside to out leaving a few inches of tail
• Enter the top hole from the outside to the inside
• Pass OVER the middle hold on the inside and enter the bottom hole from the inside to the outside
• Pass back through the middle hole from the outside to the inside
• Using the tail from the beginning, tie the two threads together in a knot to secure bind
• Fold the flap.  I secured the flap with a grommet and extra thread but you can get creative and change it up.

How do you celebrate your gratitude?

Personalize Your Canning Jars

1| River Dog Prints  2| Mud and Twig  3| My Paper Kittens  

4| Autumn Leah  5| Paper From Heaven  6| Sweet Grass Prints

One the creative pieces of the canning process is putting your personal touch on what you create.  A special addition are jar labels.  These are especially fun if you are planning on gifting any of your garden goodies.  These are a few of my favorites from etsy.  It's clear to see that each label has a very different personality.  

Which one is your favorite?

DIY Natural Bug Repellent for Your Yard

It is just as important to protect your yard from pests as it is to protect your body.  Upon first evaluation of your yard, be sure to eliminate your exposure by following the tips I listed in the August 4(for) Green Acres challenge.

Since bugs can be repelled with scents, the next step is to plant as many herbs and flowers as possible in and around your garden and yard that ward off pests.  Potted plants on the porch full of mint or lavender also work well.

You can also protect your yard by making a spray you can keep on hand for times when you will outdoors.  Before activity simply spray your plants and grass.

Ingredients

• 2-3 garlic cloves
• Mineral oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 cups of water

Supplies

spray bottle

Instructions

1. Mince a few garlic cloves and cover them in mineral oil.  Let it sit for 24 hours or more.  
2. Take a teaspoon of the oil/garlic mixture and mix it with two cups of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
3. Strain out the garlic with cheesecloth or a very fine strainer and funnel the liquid into a spray bottle.
4. Spray on plants and grass around areas of activity.  Shake before each use.

DIY Natural Bug Repellents for Your Body

You stink!  That's what you want a bug to think of you.  It's a strange concept to think about, but bugs are either attracted or unattracted by scent.  As mentioned in the August 4(for) Green Acres challenge, mosquitoes carry the highest amount of the west nile virus in August and September.  It's important to arm our bodies so we can continue to enjoy the outdoors, and it's as easy as applying the right scent.

Lavender and mint are two herbs that mosquitoes are especially repelled by.  You will find in the recipes below that one or both of these herbs are found in the ingredient list.  While I'm mostly dealing with mosquitoes because of the serious health risk, you can also combat other pests at the same time. Here is a list of herbs and what insects they help repel.  Essential oils can be found for all of them.

As you begin to mix and use your sprays or gel keep these important tips in mind.

1.  Use the purest ingredients you can find.  Ingredients that you don't grow yourself or you don't have on hand purchase in a health food store or at a farmers market.  Read the list of ingredients to make sure they don't have a lot of additives.  We are fighting nature with nature so stick as close to it as you can.

2.  Remember to be diligent with reapplying.  Our homemade versions are not waterproof or sweat proof.  Nor do they have agents that will stay on your skin for quite some time.  By adding a conditioning agent like an oil they will be able to stay on your skin longer.

3.  Essential oils are very potent and should never be applied directly to your skin.  They could burn.  They must be diluted with water or witch hazel prior to application.

4.  These repellents do not have a long shelf life.  Over time the scent starts to diminish and scent is the key ingredient in making these work.  If you find you're losing scent you can add a few drops of essential oil to the bottle or gel and shake or mix well.

Ingredients

• Essential oils: rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, cedar, lavender, catnip, citronella, mint, etc.
• Witch Hazel, rubbing alcohol, or vodka (whatever you have on hand)
• Water that has been boiled or distilled water
• Olive Oil (optional)*  

Supplies
small spray bottle

Instructions

1. Fill the spray bottle half way with water.
2. Add the witch hazel to fill almost to the top.
3. If using olive oil add 1/2 tsp.
4. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent.  The more you use the stronger the scent will be.  Mix and match the oils for a customized scent.
5. Store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer.
6. Spray on exposed skin and clothing* 

*Be sure to test the spray on a discrete place on your clothing to ensure it does not stain or damage.

Ingredients

• Fresh or Dried herbs: mint, citronella, lavender, catnip, eucalyptus, etc.
• Witch Hazel, rubbing alcohol, or vodka
• Water for boiling

Supplies
small spray bottle

Instructions

1. Boil 1 cup of water and add 3-4 TBSP of any combination of dried herbs.  If using fresh herbs add more.  Fresh is less potent than dried.  If you feel your mix is too strong you can always dilute it later.  
2. Take off the heat, mix well, and cover to cool.  Be sure to keep the lid on so the oils (scent) don't evaporate.
3. When cooled, strain the herbs out and mix 1 cup of witch hazel, rubbing alcohol or vodka and funnel the mixture into a spray bottle.
4. Store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer.
5. Spray on exposed skin and clothing*  

*Be sure to test the spray on a discrete place on your clothing to ensure it does not stain or damage.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of clear aloe vera gel (not dyed green)
• 2 tsp tea tree oil
• 2 tsp citronella oil
• 1/2 tsp rosemary oil
• 1/2 tsp local honey (optional) - honey has antibacterial components and also adds moisture to the gel.  It will not make the gel sticky. 

Note: The oils above can be exchanged for other oils depending on what insects you are trying to repel.  I would trade out peppermint or lavender for tea tree oil to work better on mosquitoes.  

Supplies
Small jelly jar or baby food jar

Instructions

1. Pour the aloe vera into a bowl. 
2. Add the essential oils and honey if you are using it and mix well.  The gel may look slightly creamy.
3. Spoon into a jar and cover with a lid. 
4. Store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer.
5. Slather on exposed skin.

• Rub vanilla extract (not imitation) on your skin with a cotton ball on the hot parts of your body: behind your ears, underarms, the crease of your elbow, behind your knees, etc.  You can also add vanilla to any of the receipts above.
• Rub the leaves and flowers from fresh herbs all over the skin, especially anything in the mint family.

DIY Quick and Easy Summer Bracelets

Summer is for celebrating friendships.  One way I like to express friendships is through bracelets and necklaces that you make and give to another person.  

When I went through my grunge stage as a summer camp counselor I wore every gift of friendship I received, as you can see in the photo above.  I had friends from Brazil, New Zealand, and Austrailia that made me something to wear.  Campers and friends expressed their love and respect through bracelets and necklaces and I adorned my body with all of them.  

I still love friendship bracelets, although my tastes have changed.  I will no longer wear a bracelet on each arm or ankle, but they bring back memories of a few really great summers with very beautiful relationships.  The process of making them holds a special place in my heart.  

When this beautiful girl came into town for a visit, I decided I'd teach her how to make friendship bracelets since she was special to me.  There are a variety of methods, but we went for quick and easy.  I especially like the idea of using old buttons.  There is no knot tying or technique and they are easy to change out.  

Using this visual tutorial we made these bracelets using charms.  She had a circular charm and I went for a hammered, industrial looking bar.  I chose to knot mine on the end versus making a loop to take it on and off.  I knew I would wear it all summer as a reminder of our friendship.  Get inspired to make one by checking out other ideas from Pinterest.